tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851322133816062332.post1042169557676935647..comments2023-06-02T02:58:00.488-07:00Comments on i pick up pennies: Holiday paranoia & other fun traditionsAbigailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12043674506776005070noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851322133816062332.post-19695185769695648312008-12-21T19:02:00.000-08:002008-12-21T19:02:00.000-08:00Shevy,Just FYI -- that was me being sarcastical. -...Shevy,<BR/>Just FYI -- that was me being sarcastical. <BR/>-- Abby's momDonnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13881332749767280627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851322133816062332.post-5046272211871406552008-12-21T10:41:00.000-08:002008-12-21T10:41:00.000-08:00Shevy,Even as I panic, I know that gifts aren't wh...Shevy,<BR/><BR/>Even as I panic, I know that gifts aren't what the season is about -- or at least not completely.<BR/><BR/>Still, since Tim has ADD he gets distracted by lots of shiny baubles. And so it's tempting to get him everything his little heart desires, even as the more reasonable side of me knows we'd be driven out of our apartment if I were to do that.<BR/><BR/>It is, as always, a matter of balance. Balancing what he wants versus what we can afford and what he'll actually use. Balancing the thought behind the presents with how much you actually want to get.<BR/><BR/>That said, you are a great conscience. You should consider renting yourself out. I hear a lot of people these days lack that important tool. At the very least, perhaps the American gov't would hire you to hang out around Wall St and kick some butt!Abigailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12043674506776005070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851322133816062332.post-88023236427831925262008-12-20T20:57:00.000-08:002008-12-20T20:57:00.000-08:00Abby, you seem to be over your little moment of pa...Abby, you seem to be over your little moment of panic but I thought there for a while that I was going to have to chide you and your mother.<BR/><BR/>It's not the content of the presents that really matters, is it? It's about the connections between you all. The thing about the gifts is that they should show you know what their tastes are, not that they be the most expensive thing you could get. And I know you get that.<BR/><BR/>You just got derailed for a moment because we've been so brainwashed for so long into thinking that the size of the pile somehow relates to the amount of love *and it doesn't*.Shevyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12360963999613712921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851322133816062332.post-50809358087736884812008-12-20T19:07:00.000-08:002008-12-20T19:07:00.000-08:00Meg, Put that way, it does seem rather overdone to...Meg, <BR/><BR/>Put that way, it does seem rather overdone to even bother with presents. Except that I like getting things. (Probably because Tim gives good gifts, or maybe I'm just greedy.)<BR/><BR/>But the gift of time -- especially when it saves *you* time and stress -- does seem like one of the best gifts of all.Abigailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12043674506776005070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851322133816062332.post-71458575025849830632008-12-20T19:00:00.000-08:002008-12-20T19:00:00.000-08:00I tend to have some sort of panic episode/attack a...I tend to have some sort of panic episode/attack around Christmas each year. Not this year, though -- at least not yet. <BR/><BR/>I think a big part has been that my husband and I are keeping it really simple. One tree, a strand of lights around the living room window, no presents, not even for each other. Really, we don't need more stuff and everyone we've talked to has said the same. <BR/><BR/>As much as we do like giving gifts, we realized what we like even more -- spending time with people. I think of all the time I'd be spending running around town looking for gifts, waiting in traffic, waiting in lines, etc., and I am so thankful that we're opting out. <BR/><BR/>Today, one of the busiest shopping days of the year, we headed a little ways out of town to visit and walk around a historic farm site. Then we went to my in-laws' for dinner. It was a great day and all we spent was $4 to enter the farm and a little gas to get us around.Meghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10618960384664890953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851322133816062332.post-52895513636626885942008-12-20T17:49:00.001-08:002008-12-20T17:49:00.001-08:00Maryea,You have a good point, and it's nice to kno...Maryea,<BR/><BR/>You have a good point, and it's nice to know that other folks go through this as well.Abigailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12043674506776005070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851322133816062332.post-77328244198116131892008-12-20T17:49:00.000-08:002008-12-20T17:49:00.000-08:00Shtinkykat,I know he'll be thrilled. Just that one...Shtinkykat,<BR/><BR/>I know he'll be thrilled. Just that one fit of frustration that I had to get out of the way this season.<BR/><BR/>And, if we go overboard, Tim would not only feel guilt cuz he'd also have to pay it off along with me!Abigailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12043674506776005070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851322133816062332.post-83954004714548344162008-12-20T10:22:00.000-08:002008-12-20T10:22:00.000-08:00I go through the same thing you describe every yea...I go through the same thing you describe every year at this time! Then I remind myself of how I'll feel AFTER Christmas (well at least by after Jan 1st) if I buy more than I can afford! I know my recipients will be pleased with what I gave them...that is not the problem, so I just have to tell myself that materialism is NOT what this holiday is all about even though that tends to be what our society has made it about. <BR/>Have a truly merry Christmas and don't worry about all the stuff! :-)Maryeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09094122963011399204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851322133816062332.post-10143042207096391062008-12-20T09:05:00.000-08:002008-12-20T09:05:00.000-08:00It's clear that a lot of thought went into the gif...It's clear that a lot of thought went into the gifts you got Tim. I know how frustrating it is to want to give someone you love something dazzling and expensive that's not in your budget. But trust me, if the recepient knows you're busting your budget to buy something unaffordable for him, he'll feel very guilty rather than appreciative. (I know from experience with my overly generous mom who used to buy expensive gifts for me on credit.) I'm sure Tim will be thrilled with the gifts he gets. Happy Holidays!Shtinkykathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13463418160441246011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3851322133816062332.post-27911504054889374362008-12-19T11:07:00.000-08:002008-12-19T11:07:00.000-08:00I had the same problem last night when I wrapped p...I had the same problem last night when I wrapped presents for you and Tim.<BR/>Of course, that's clearly because I *haven't* bought enough gifts for the two of you.<BR/>Off to the mall!<BR/>Or not.Donnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13881332749767280627noreply@blogger.com